Raffle Underway To Benefit RugMark

Furniture World Magazine

Rugmark Foundation USA’s seventh annual rug raffle is underway, offering supporters the chance to win a handmade rug that is beautiful inside and out. Proceeds support RugMark’s Most Beautiful Rug campaign to end illegal child labor and ensure that childhood is not a luxury item. Participation in this raffle helps RugMark and its partners give children in South Asia hope for an education and a future beyond the loom. The 2008 luxury rug is donated by Creative Matters, a Toronto based design firm that joined RugMark this year. Creative Matters has a 20-year-history of creating “rugs of art” for notable clients including Gucci, Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton. While travelling through Nepal in 2000, Creative Matters co-founder Carol Sebert captured a picture of a young Tibetan girl that inspired the design for this year’s raffle rug. Hariti, meaning “protectress for children”, is a one-of-a-kind, 6’x 9,’ hand knotted rug, made in Nepal from Tibetan wool and silk. Beautifully crafted by adult artisans in Nepal Hariti is a true representation of what makes a luxury rug beautiful-the fact that it is child-labor-free. Hastings’ and Sebert’s love of carpets, they explain, has to do with their beauty and character, which, in part, comes from the people who make them. “We get asked a lot if the rugs are made by children,” explains Hastings. “It’s nice to say we’re with RugMark. It gives our clients confidence in our work.” Pictures of the Hariti rug along with up to date reports on its creation can be viewed on Creative Matter’s blog. Raffle ticket purchases help RugMark and Creative Matters come one step closer to ending child labor in South Asia. Tickets are $25 each, 5 for $100 or 12 for $200. The drawing will take place on December 4, 2008 and the winner will be notified the following day. Individuals may purchase tickets at www.rugmark.org/raffle.htm. About RugMark: RugMark is an international nonprofit organization working to end exploitative child labor in the carpet industry and give educational opportunities to children in India and Nepal. The RugMark label offers the best assurance that no illegal child labor was used in the manufacture of a carpet or rug. For more information and to see a list of importers and retailers that sell RugMark certified rugs please visit www.rugmark.org.